UGC NET Questions (Paper – 1)

Descriptive research focuses on portraying the current status or characteristics of a phenomenon as it exists, without manipulating variables. It answers “what is” questions by summarising frequencies, averages and patterns. The intent is not to establish cause–effect but to provide an accurate picture of the situation. Therefore, a study that only describes characteristics without testing causal relationships is correctly classified as descriptive research.

Option A:
Descriptive research uses methods like surveys, observations and documentary analysis to characterise a population or situation. It does not manipulate an independent variable and generally does not use experimental control. Because its purpose is description rather than causal explanation, descriptive research fits the stem precisely.

Option B:
Experimental research involves manipulation of one or more independent variables and control of extraneous variables to test causal hypotheses. Its primary goal is to determine cause–effect relationships, which goes beyond mere description. Hence, experimental research is not the best label for a study that only describes characteristics.

Option C:
Correlational research examines the statistical relationships between variables, often using correlation coefficients and regression, and may suggest associations that could be causal. Although it does not manipulate variables, it focuses on relationships rather than on simple description of one variable at a time. Thus, correlational research is not the most accurate completion for a purely descriptive aim.

Option D:
Historical research reconstructs past events and processes through records, documents and narratives to understand how and why things happened over time. Its emphasis is on historical interpretation rather than on describing the current characteristics of a present-day situation. Therefore, historical research is not appropriate for the stem.

Descriptive research is designed to portray accurately the characteristics or conditions of a situation at a particular point in time. It does not involve deliberate manipulation of variables but rather observes and records what exists. Surveys, opinion polls and observational studies are common descriptive designs. Since the stem refers to describing current status without manipulating variables, the correct classification is descriptive research.

Option A:
Experimental research deliberately manipulates one or more independent variables and observes the resulting changes in dependent variables, usually under controlled conditions. Its main purpose is to establish cause–effect relationships. Because the stem explicitly mentions no manipulation of variables, experimental research is not appropriate here.

Option B:
Historical research deals with past events and processes, relying on documents, records and other sources to reconstruct what happened and why. It does not focus on current status, so it cannot be the correct answer to a question about present conditions.

Option C:
Action research is conducted by practitioners such as teachers to solve immediate problems in their own settings through cycles of planning, acting, observing and reflecting. Although it may describe conditions, its primary aim is change and improvement rather than neutral description. Therefore, it does not fully match the stem.

Option D:
Descriptive research provides detailed information about “what is” in a given context, serving as a foundation for explanation and prediction. It respects the existing conditions and seeks to summarise them systematically. This aligns precisely with the scenario presented in the question, making descriptive research the correct choice.

Descriptive research aims to portray an accurate profile of persons, events or situations, often answering questions like what, where, when and how much, rather than why. Surveys, case studies and observational methods are commonly used to gather data on current conditions.

Option A:
This option correctly highlights the purpose of descriptive research as depicting current features of a phenomenon, providing a factual and systematic description without necessarily analyzing causal relationships.

Option B:
This option refers more to analytical or experimental research, which attempts to establish causal links between variables by manipulating conditions; that goes beyond simple description.

Option C:
Option C states that variables are always manipulated, which again characterizes experimental designs rather than descriptive studies that observe variables as they naturally occur.

Option D:
Option D confines attention to historical events. Historical research is a separate type; descriptive studies frequently focus on present conditions, not only the past.

Statements A, B, C and E accurately summarise different research purposes. Descriptive research portrays characteristics, exploratory research clarifies poorly defined problems, and explanatory research tests hypotheses about relationships and causes. Descriptive findings can indeed guide later explanatory work. Statement D is false because historical research does interpret past events; it does not merely list them.

Option A:
Option A is incomplete as it omits E, thereby ignoring how descriptive work often serves as a foundation for more complex causal investigations. Without E, the progression from description to explanation is not fully represented.

Option B:
Option B is correct because it gathers all the true statements about descriptive, exploratory and explanatory research and their interrelationships. It rightly excludes D, which mischaracterises historical research as uninterpreted description. This combination aligns with standard classifications of research purposes.

Option C:
Option C is incorrect because it retains D, the false statement about historical research, and omits A, which properly defines descriptive research. Including D and excluding A distorts the classification of research types.

Option D:
Option D is wrong because it includes D along with other statements, accepting an incorrect view of historical research. By treating D as correct, the option underestimates the interpretive nature of historical inquiry.

Descriptive research focuses on portraying the current status of a phenomenon, such as attitudes, behaviours or demographic features, without introducing any treatment. It often uses surveys, observation or existing records to obtain data. The goal is to answer questions about “what is” rather than “why it is so” in causal terms. Therefore, research that describes characteristics without manipulation is best termed descriptive research.

Option A:
Experimental research intentionally manipulates one or more independent variables and controls extraneous variables to examine causal effects, which goes beyond description. It therefore does not match the non-manipulative nature mentioned in the stem.

Option B:
Historical research deals with past events and developments, using documents and records, rather than describing current characteristics of a living population. While it can be descriptive, it has a different temporal focus.

Option C:
Descriptive research may summarise frequencies, averages and patterns to give a clear profile of a population at a given time. It does not change variables or assign treatments, which fits exactly with the stem, making this option correct.

Option D:
Correlational research examines the relationships among variables and may look beyond simple description to quantify associations. While it does not necessarily manipulate variables, its primary aim is not merely descriptive but relational, so it is less precise for this question.

In this question statements A, B, D and E reflect core features of research design, while statement C is incorrect. Statement A is true because a research design indeed acts as a blueprint guiding data collection, measurement and analysis. Statement B is correct since a well-planned design seeks to minimise bias and enhance the reliability of data, and statement D properly characterises descriptive designs as portraying characteristics of populations or phenomena. Statement E is also true as causal-comparative research explores cause–effect relationships without direct manipulation of independent variables, whereas statement C is false because even exploratory studies require at least a tentative design or plan.

Option A:
Option A includes A, B and E but leaves out D. Although A, B and E are correct, D is also a true statement about descriptive research designs. By omitting D, this combination does not include all the correct statements and so cannot be accepted as the right answer.

Option B:
Option B selects B, D and E but omits A. While B, D and E are accurate, excluding A means the crucial general idea of research design as a blueprint for the entire study is missing. A complete set of correct statements must include A as well, so this option is incomplete.

Option C:
Option C correctly groups A, B, D and E, all of which present a coherent understanding of research design and related types of studies. It omits statement C, which wrongly suggests that exploratory studies do not need any design. Since this option contains all and only the true statements, it is the correct answer.

Option D:
Option D adds statement C to the otherwise correct combination of A, D and E. Because C is false, claiming that exploratory studies never require a design, its inclusion makes the entire combination incorrect. A valid option cannot mix misleading statements with true ones, so this choice is not acceptable.